Yardbarker: Paul Goldschmidthttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/players/paul_goldschmidt/126074
Recent articles about Paul Goldschmidten-usMLB's top 10 first basemen for 2018As always, there is an abundance of riches at first base. The franchise player count at the position ranks high, with five to six of this year’s top 10 counting as the centerpiece performers on their respective clubs. In the last two years, Paul Goldschmidt, Joey Votto and Anthony Rizzo have all finished in the top three in NL MVP voting at least once, with Votto coming up just a vote short of a second MVP victory last season. On the American League side, the first base position is undergoing a changing of the guard. Jose Abreu remains, but with declining production from veteran mainstays like Miguel Cabrera and Chris Davis, along with departures to the National League for the likes of Eric Hosmer and Carlos Santana, there aren't many known quantities left in the Junior Circuit.The NL has a deep stash of talent at the position that goes well beyond those who crack the top 10, while the AL will have to wait and see who emerges in 2018. As we head into the season, here is an NL-heavy list of the top 10 first ba21 Feb 2018 13:05:00 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mlb_39s_top_10_first_basemen_for_2018/s1_13132_25766429
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mlb_39s_top_10_first_basemen_for_2018/s1_13132_25766429MLB's top 10 first basemen for 2018http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mlb_39s_top_10_first_basemen_for_2018/s1_13132_25766429http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/9/c917c9813dfe7eb2d28399145ef1df4c747d727c/top_story/GettyImages-689537112.jpgPaul Goldschmidt's ability to generate power is fascinatingWhile first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is the face of the Arizona Diamondbacks, he’s also one of the most underrated superstars in today’s game. He’s been to five straight All-Star games, has won three Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, and has been a finalist for the National League MVP three different times.Oh yea, and the 27.9 fWAR he’s accumulated since 2013 not only leads his position, but it’s also the third-best mark in all of baseball. The only two players who have posted a higher fWAR than him during this time are Mike Trout (43.4) and Josh Donaldson (35.6).Goldschmidt has been an elite on-field producer because he can do a little bit of everything on offense — if we take a look again at his performance since 2013 (which spans 3,254 plate appearances), his 150 wRC+ is fourth best, his .239 ISO is among the top 20, and his 14.1 BsR is among the top 40.While he’s been as consistent as they come since becoming a full-time player, it’s interesting to see how he’s arrived at some of his numbers — and most 18 Jan 2018 08:00:50 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/paul_goldschmidts_ability_to_generate_power_is_fascinating/s1_12740_25480319
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/paul_goldschmidts_ability_to_generate_power_is_fascinating/s1_12740_25480319Paul Goldschmidt's ability to generate power is fascinatinghttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/paul_goldschmidts_ability_to_generate_power_is_fascinating/s1_12740_25480319http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/f/6fc8eca377064b04b265ac4f454f2c2c2d061fe5/top_story/10357044.jpgWinners and losers of Dodgers’ NLDS victory over DiamondbacksThe Los Angeles Dodgers punched their NLCS tickets on Monday night with a 3-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, completing a 3-0 sweep against their NL West rivals. Naturally, a sweep will provide many standout performances from the winning team, and more than enough poor performances from the losing one. Still, a select group stood out in this series.Justin Turner, Los Angeles’ No. 3 hitter, thrived. Paul Goldschmidt, his Arizona counterpart, did not. Of course, the table wasn’t set up for him, either. Yu Darvish, one of the 2017 trade deadline’s prized acquisitions, showed why the Dodgers wanted him. Meanwhile, while Zack Greinke could have been worse for the Diamondbacks, he could have been a lot better.These were the main winners and losers of Los Angeles’ NLDS sweep over the Diamondbacks.Winner: Justin TurnerAs we know, the Dodgers are a team with a recent history of underperforming in the postseason. With that in mind, Turner made the perfect statement when he stepped into the batter’s box for his firs10 Oct 2017 01:59:58 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/winners_and_losers_of_dodgers_nlds_victory_over_diamondbacks/s1_12680_24745160
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/winners_and_losers_of_dodgers_nlds_victory_over_diamondbacks/s1_12680_24745160Winners and losers of Dodgers’ NLDS victory over Diamondbackshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/winners_and_losers_of_dodgers_nlds_victory_over_diamondbacks/s1_12680_24745160http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/8/f84aa93454869ed0c771509d2fe51ba21b4da0c0/top_story/10338730.jpgThe Dodgers are in the driver’s seat nowRobbie Ray just couldn’t get through it.Saturday night, the Arizona Diamondbacks got what they needed—an early start. Paul Goldschmidt got to Rich Hill immediately, sending a no-doubt two-run shot into the night. It was 2-0 and Robbie Ray was on the mound. Things were looking promising.And then it started to slowly crumble. Ultimately, Robbie Ray’s wildness got the better of him.Ray would begin the bottom half of the second by walking Enrique Hernandez, who would eventually come around to score on a Yasiel Puig groundout. Austin Barnes would move up a base on a wild pitch, but no further damage would come. 2-1.Remember that wild pitch.Three singles loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth, but between a groundout to start the inning and a strikeout to get the second out, Ray was almost out of the woods. He just had a tough out in Chris Taylor to get through. No easy task to be sure. Then came another wild pitch—Logan Forsythe scores and suddenly it’s 2-2. An infield single added another before Ray ended t08 Oct 2017 08:30:04 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/the_dodgers_are_in_the_drivers_seat_now/s1_11773_24730937
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/the_dodgers_are_in_the_drivers_seat_now/s1_11773_24730937The Dodgers are in the driver’s seat nowhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/the_dodgers_are_in_the_drivers_seat_now/s1_11773_24730937http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/d/8d80b9422f3f35f4486d378dd7d6889a6ae70a2a/top_story/10334506.jpgTen most deserving MLB MVP candidatesFew awards in sports spark more arguments than Most Valuable Player. What is the definition of “valuable?” Can a pitcher win it? Do you have to lead your team to the playoffs to be serious considered? How much do defense, baserunning, and other variables matter when it comes to baseball. There’s still no good answer to these questions — it’s all in the eye of the beholder, or in this case, the voter.Even though we don’t know whom the voters will favor, we can predict which players will be serious candidates to win the award in both the American and National League. Here are five players from each who have a chance of taking home the awards come season’s end.American League5) Jonathan Schoop, OriolesSchoop isn’t getting a lot of publicity right now, but he’ll probably get some votes in the AL MVP race. The Orioles second baseman has posted a very strong season, hitting over .300 with 31 home runs and 102 RBIs. He’s been Baltimore’s best player, and an integral part of pulling them back into the wild-card race.07 Sep 2017 03:50:01 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/10_most_deserving_mlb_mvp_candidates/s1_127_24618061
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/10_most_deserving_mlb_mvp_candidates/s1_127_24618061Ten most deserving MLB MVP candidateshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/10_most_deserving_mlb_mvp_candidates/s1_127_24618061http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/0/507c4de41f916e2e7e0873820d86d566fc983dab/top_story/10154300.jpgHow the Diamondbacks rallied to become baseball's most dangerous teamIt is said that in baseball, it is not always about being the best for the entire season, but getting hot at the right time. And when it is all said and done in October, if the Arizona Diamondbacks defy the odds and return to their first World Series in over 15 years, it could be said that Labor Day marked the high-water point of them putting it all together for the winning run. The Diamondbacks already had the hottest hand in the National League coming into the Monday holiday, winners of 10 straight, including the first sweep of the MLB-best Los Angeles Dodgers all season. It was a run of success that had pulled Arizona ahead by six games in the National League wild-card race, the widest such margin that any leader had held all season in the NL’s consolation standings.However, in game one of their second series in less than a week’s time with those same Dodgers, the Diamondbacks announced their presence in a emphatic manner that only means trouble for the rest of the NL field down the stretch. Because on the05 Sep 2017 22:18:00 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/how_the_diamondbacks_rallied_to_become_baseball_39s_most_dangerous_team/s1_13132_24615266
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/how_the_diamondbacks_rallied_to_become_baseball_39s_most_dangerous_team/s1_13132_24615266How the Diamondbacks rallied to become baseball's most dangerous teamhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/how_the_diamondbacks_rallied_to_become_baseball_39s_most_dangerous_team/s1_13132_24615266http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/6/268beacc8f2f608ebee295774f500b7d89e19e6d/top_story/GettyImages-842688164.jpgSorting out a crowded National League MVP sceneWhen Bryce Harper fell on the rain-soaked bases of Nationals Park late in a game against the San Francisco Giants, it did more than just put a streak of collective terror through the nation’s capital. It instantly changed the entire National League MVP picture.While Harper has been out of action for nearly a month, his mark on the NL season is still tough to miss. In addition to the 14-game cushion the Nationals continue to enjoy that he helped to build, Harper still checks in on multiple NL leaderboards, including a mention in the top 10 of the Triple Crown categories. It was a quite a season that the 24-year-old wunderkind was experiencing, one that seemed to position Harper to take home his second MVP in three years before he went on the disabled list.With Harper out of commission for the rest of the regular season, it's opened up the competition for who will be crowned top dog at the end of the slate. In a crowded NL field, another singular favorite has been slow to emerge and decisively take the lead, bu30 Aug 2017 21:17:00 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/sorting_out_a_crowded_national_league_mvp_scene/s1_13132_24602824
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/sorting_out_a_crowded_national_league_mvp_scene/s1_13132_24602824Sorting out a crowded National League MVP scenehttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/sorting_out_a_crowded_national_league_mvp_scene/s1_13132_24602824http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/0/504e2a8273f3d59baf1b18aca9207d47dac5fab5/top_story/USATSI_10082924.jpgCubs send great tweet after monster game by Paul GoldschmidtThe Cubs sent out a great tweet in response to the monster game Paul Goldschmidt had against them on Thursday.The Cubs fell to the Diamondbacks 10-8, largely because of the heroics of Arizona’s All-Star first baseman. In four at-bats, Goldschmidt had three home runs and drove in six runs. Below is video of his third homer, which broke an 8-8 tie in the ninth inning. In response to his outstanding effort, the Cubs sent out this tweet. Part of the greatness of the tweet is that Thursday’s game was the finale of the three-game series between the two teams. However, the Cubs may want to consider putting that plan into action next weekend as Arizona hosts Chicago for another three-game series beginning next Friday.03 Aug 2017 21:36:51 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/cubs_send_great_tweet_after_monster_game_by_paul_goldschmidt/s1_127_24477481
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/cubs_send_great_tweet_after_monster_game_by_paul_goldschmidt/s1_127_24477481Cubs send great tweet after monster game by Paul Goldschmidthttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/cubs_send_great_tweet_after_monster_game_by_paul_goldschmidt/s1_127_24477481http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/b/9b87827c124c7709a6081873f928c75cb483b88f/top_story/10182550.jpgCubs troll themselves after giving up three homers to Paul GoldschmidtThe Chicago Cubs dropped a thrilling game to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday. In it, MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt popped three home runs, including the game winner.The good news for the Chicago is that the series is now over. The Cubs were not afraid to poke fun at themselves on Twitter. The bad news for Chicago is that the Cubs and Diamondbacks are set to square off in a three-game series in Arizona from August 11-13.We’ll see if Chicago remembers its own advice for those three games.03 Aug 2017 21:33:40 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/cubs_troll_themselves_after_giving_up_three_homers_to_paul_goldschmidt/s1_12680_24477478
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/cubs_troll_themselves_after_giving_up_three_homers_to_paul_goldschmidt/s1_12680_24477478Cubs troll themselves after giving up three homers to Paul Goldschmidthttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/cubs_troll_themselves_after_giving_up_three_homers_to_paul_goldschmidt/s1_12680_24477478http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/3/e3d3f7e0faf04ce4ad376bf60e648514f70f43fb/top_story/10182550.jpgEight All-Stars you should get to know this Midsummer ClassicThere are 28 new names on this year’s All-Star Game rosters. Add in the fact that some of the league’s best-known quantities such as Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, Kris Bryant and Manny Machado will all be absent from the festivities for a variety of reasons, it means that this year’s game could require quite a learning curve to along the way. While some of those making their All-Star debuts, such as Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger, do not require much of an introduction, there are many that could use a background check, as well as a bit of a justification. And in a league that has the slight identity crisis that baseball does, this year’s edition of the Midsummer Classic has a number of names that could truly challenge the casual and die-hard fans alike. While none of the players on this list (well, maybe one) should factor into the ongoing search for the ‘face of the MLB,’ each has done more than his fair share to earn his keep as a participant in Tuesday’s All-Star Game. And you never know, they could easily 10 Jul 2017 14:26:00 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/eight_all_stars_you_should_get_to_know_this_midsummer_classic/s1_13132_24331672
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/eight_all_stars_you_should_get_to_know_this_midsummer_classic/s1_13132_24331672Eight All-Stars you should get to know this Midsummer Classichttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/eight_all_stars_you_should_get_to_know_this_midsummer_classic/s1_13132_24331672http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/a/ea6f3b57825d8795311723eba0445a4384bf7c4e/top_story/10112350.jpgThe most deserving candidates around the MLB All-Star ballot diamondAs the second month of the MLB season prepares to end, the All-Star Game becomes a closer and more significant part of the baseball calendar. And as ASG balloting ramps up, it is important to be an informed voter, because as is always the case, there will be plenty of big names that are not having the seasons that match. As such, it is time to pay closer attention to the best of the best around the All-Star ballot, and why. In many cases, there are the proven names that are once again proving why they make the ASG their annual mid-summer vacation. Yet in the same vein, there are those that are overperforming their name value, yet could fall in-between the cracks when it comes time to click (yes, we live in a post-paper ballot age) ‘submit’ on that All-Star ballot. And admittedly, while it is a true exhibition again (finally) and there is certainly a place to want to vote in the guys that are the most proven or the favorites of those casting ballots, the All-Star Game still serves to recognize those players th30 May 2017 16:30:00 -0400http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/the_most_deserving_candidates_around_the_all_star_ballot_diamond/s1_13132_24059866
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/the_most_deserving_candidates_around_the_all_star_ballot_diamond/s1_13132_24059866The most deserving candidates around the MLB All-Star ballot diamondhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/the_most_deserving_candidates_around_the_all_star_ballot_diamond/s1_13132_24059866http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/b/7b10d2987e50a5d149a74b7deed3b5ba1a68a284/top_story/10072800.jpg